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North Star Faith Community — Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the North Star Faith Community?
The North Star Faith Community is a Harriet-inspired gathering space for faith-based organizations and women of all faiths to come together and share in the joy of health, wellness, and community. From the pulpit to the pews, from worship houses to prayer circles and beyond—this space is for you.
Rooted in the spirit of our foremother Harriet Tubman, the North Star serves as our guiding light toward freedom, health, and abundance. Together, we walk toward wellness, and once free, we turn back to bring others along.
2. Is GirlTREK a religious organization?
No. GirlTREK is not a religious organization. We are a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) health movement dedicated to inspiring one million Black women to walk toward healing and liberation.
We practice RADICAL WELCOME— sisters of all faiths, beliefs, and spiritual practices, you are celebrated here. Everyone is invited to walk, pray, meditate, or reflect in the way that feels authentic to them.
3. Who can join?
All women of faith are welcome here — no matter your denomination, tradition, or background. You can be part of the North Star Faith Community as an individual sister walker or as part of a faith-based organization, church, or ministry.
You do not need to be a member of a church to participate. From worship houses to prayer circles and beyond, this space is for you. Our goal is to encourage and support you as you walk towards a healthier, more joyful life.
4. Do I have to belong to a church to be a part of the North Star Community?
You don’t have to belong to a church or any specific faith institution to join us. This space is for anyone seeking community, joy, and wellness through a spiritual lens—whether that’s in a sanctuary, a living room, or beneath the open sky.
5. Do I have to be a Christian to join?
The North Star Faith Community is an interfaith and inclusive community. We honor and uplift wisdom from all faith traditions—and from women who may not identify with any particular faith, but still value spiritual connection, reflection, and walking in sisterhood.
6. How do I become a part of the North Star Faith Community?
It’s easy! Let us know your interest by completing our form:
7. What is a Faith Crew?
A Faith Crew is simple — you + one sister = a crew—a sisterhood walking together in faith and health.
You can walk together in person, or virtually, and invite others from your congregation or community to join. Faith Crews walk, talk, pray, and encourage one another.
Some Faith Crews have one or more Co-Crew Leaders to share responsibilities, and many crews commit to at least one walk a month with their faith community.
You can even start or join multiple crews — with your church, women’s ministry, or interfaith friends.
8. How do I start or join a Faith Crew?
It’s easy!
- Start your own crew: Grab a sister, commit to walking together, and register your crew through the GirlTREK Underground App.
- You can join an existing crew: In the Underground App, you can search for a Faith Crew near you or connect with one through our monthly Faith Gatherings.
Either way, you’re never walking alone — you’re part of a national movement of over 1.3 million women walking in the direction of health and liberation.
👉🏾 Let us know your interest at girltrek.org/faith-based-interest-form.
9. How do I become a North Star Faith Crew Leader?
Complete a North Star Faith Crew Leader Training Session and the Faith Crew Leader Quiz.
Our trainings are offered regularly and they provide everything you need to launch, lead, and sustain your crew — including tools, encouragement, and connection to other Faith Leaders nationwide. That’s it—you’ll be officially ready to lead!
10. Do I need permission from my church or faith community to become a North Star Faith Crew Leader?
Never ask permission to save your own life. 💙
Start walking toward your healthiest self today. You don’t need official approval to start a Faith Crew with GirlTREK — just a heart to gather and grow in faith. Your walking journey can be a powerful extension of your faith organization’s mission, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. If your faith community would like to meet with us before establishing a crew, we are available to meet together to share about the North Star Community and walking with GirlTREK.
11. Can my Faith Crew collaborate with other GirlTREK Special Impact Teams?
Yes! In fact, we encourage it. The Faith Community is just one of several Special Impact Teams created to help GirlTREK reach its mission of increasing the life expectancy of Black women through health, healing, and sisterhood.
These teams focus on key communities where women need support most:
🕊️ Faith Communities – Churches, mosques, temples, prayer groups, spiritual journey
⚖️ Justice Impacted – Prisons, transitional homes, and reentry spaces
🌱 Food Justice – Gardens, farms, and food access advocates
💞 Caregivers – Nurses, teachers, senior care providers
🎓 Next Generation Youth – HBCUs, college campuses, and sororities
🧠 Mental Health First Responders (Blue Brigade) – Training women in mental health first aid, empathetic listening, and peer support walks
Each of these spaces offers an opportunity to walk, talk, pray, and work together to solve problems. Together, these teams form a robust network of women walking for health justice and restoration.
12. What are the main ways the North Star Faith Community connects?
We connect regularly through these gatherings:
✨ North Star Huddles — Twice Monthly (30 min)
Informal office hours with the Faith Team. Come ask questions, share updates, or get support.
🌍 North Star Faith Gatherings — Monthly (60 min)
Open to everyone! Join sisters of faith nationwide for fellowship, reflection, and inspiration. A virtual fellowship space where faith walkers connect, share, and celebrate together.
💌 North Star Newsletter — Monthly
Your digital dose of community! Features include:
- Faith Takes the Lead – spotlighting Faith Crews nationwide
- Testify – stories from women walking in faith
- Faith Announcements – resources, challenges, and upcoming events
🌟We also host special events like Faith Treks (virtual walk + talks calls), Sister Check-ins, and seasonal challenges like our 21-Day FaithTREK Challenge!
13. What is the 21-Day FaithTREK Challenge?
The 21-Day FaithTREK Challenge is a walking challenge where sisters commit to walking 21 days within 30 days — for their health and healing. Every sister who completes it earns her Golden Laces — a powerful symbol of commitment and freedom — celebrated in a Golden Lace Ceremony with her crew. The 21-Day Faith TREK can be completed at any time throughout the year.
14. What are North Star Community Resources?
You can access our complete Digital Toolkit here:
👉🏾 North Star Community Resources
It includes events, 21-Day Challenges, walking guides, community service ideas, and downloadable tools to help you lead with confidence.
15. How can I contact the North Star Faith Team?
We’re here for you—always. Please reach out to us at Faith@GirlTREK.org at any time.
You can also stay connected by downloading the Underground App and joining the North Star Faith Community Crew inside the app!
16. What is the Underground App, and why should I join?
The Underground App is GirlTREK’s official community hub — where you can:
- Join or create your Faith Crew
- Connect with other walkers of faith
- Access resources, inspiration, and event updates
- Share your wins and celebrate your sisters
Think of it as our virtual “porch” — where the GirlTREK movement gathers daily.
📱 Download the Underground App here — and join the “North Star Faith Community” group.
17. What inspires the name “North Star”?
Just as Harriet Tubman followed the North Star to freedom — then returned to guide her family, community, and allies — we, too, follow our North Star: health, joy, and collective liberation. Our name honors Harriet Tubman, who followed the North Star to freedom and embodied what we call The Tubman Doctrine:
- She freed herself without asking permission.
- She returned to free her family.
- She built a community of freedom seekers.
- She rallied allies.
- She lived in joy and abundance.
“Free yourself. Then free your sisters. Then free your community. Then live free and joyfully.”
That’s what this faith community is about — walking toward wellness and freedom, together.
18. What makes the North Star Faith Community unique?
We center faith + freedom + sisterhood.
This isn’t just about walking — it’s about reclaiming our health, our time, and our joy as acts of faith and resistance. It’s about creating a culture of wellness in our faith communities, churches, prayer circles, and beyond — so that every woman knows she is never walking alone.
To help achieve our mission of increasing the life expectancy of Black women, GirlTREK launched Special Impact Teams, designed to reach groups and communities with the highest needs for health justice and restoration.
Faith communities are one of these focus areas because churches and places of worship remain powerful anchors in the lives of Black women. Through the North Star Faith Community, we partner with these sacred spaces to create safe places for women to walk, talk, pray, and work together to solve problems.
19. How do I stay connected?
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💌 Sign up for the North Star Newsletter here — for updates, inspiration, and sister spotlights.
📱 Download the Underground App here — and join the “North Star Faith Community” group.
- 👣 Join our events — like Faith Gatherings, Huddles, and walking challenges.
- And, of course, you can connect directly with us anytime at Faith@GirlTREK.org.
20. What if I’m new to walking or faith-based health initiatives?
Perfect — you’re in the right place! You don’t have to be a seasoned walker or ministry leader to join. All you need is a willing heart and a pair of walking shoes. We’ll help you start small, stay consistent, and find joy in the journey.
If you have any additional questions, please contact our Care Team at Info@GirlTREK.org.